In the last few slow runs I have experienced something odd. Odd, as in pain in the achilles/ankle/calf. The right one. After about a mile, WHACK! Shooting pain that makes me limp to a walk. “That’s odd,” I would think. The pain would go away in a few steps, then I’d finish my run feeling fine. I don’t feel pain any other time. Odd.
It’s not inflamed, it’s not sore to the touch or pinch. My movement isn’t restricted. In fact, running fast is pain free. Just running slow, after about a mile, then it goes away. Don’t you think that’s odd?
I twisted my right ankle a bunch this year so far, what with all the trail running. I also experimented a bit with my form, not letting my heels touch the ground. That went from feeling interesting to painful really fast. More recently I had been thinking about the possibility of heel-landing gently, and tried it for a few steps. Let’s just say I’ve lost interest on testing the issue.
On top of all the miles I’ve been putting in, I just finished my ten fitness sessions with Thad. Most of it was core stuff, but there was a good amount of leg work. Nothing hurt, but what I’m thinking my achilles is telling me is that I need a break. Or as Jeff of Logic of Long Distance puts it, I need to take my foot off the accelerator so I can shift gears. Do read the link if you care about things like being a good runner, etc. In fact, most of his writing should be of interest to such hobbyists.
This means no Owl’s Roost Rumble, but I’ll be there to volunteer. Sunny is not happy about missing her morning runs, which by the way might also have contributed to the ankle/tendon/calf experience what with all the leash-yanking towards stray cats, but she’ll have to cope.
I can’t afford to deal with an injury of the achilles magnitude, which is not to suggest that could I afford it I would be happy as punch to give the ol’ achilles rupture a whirl, so I’m going to play it very safe and take at least two weeks off. I feel fine now aside from a little stiffness in both my ankles, which means I’m probably going to feel fine in a week when I’ll be craving a run. This is going to be an interesting test of willpower. Fun!
I’d love to know what that pain is, though. Probably a hodgepodge of a bunch of things, like early tendonosis, a dash of unhealed minor ankle sprain (self-diagnosed in hindsight), and a heaping teaspoon of inadequate recovery for a man my age. If it’s nothing, the two weeks off won’t do any harm other than missing out on some good running weather. If it’s a pre or minor injury, then the two weeks in running exile will be just what’s needed. If it’s a serious injury, well, we’ll find out in two weeks, won’t we?
What’s that you say about seeing a doctor? Ha ha ha ha ha, you’re funny. I’m not going to a doctor until I can order what I want from a menu with prices.
The extra time should result in more blog posts. Clear your schedules accordingly.
Josh – I had similar pain in my Achilles a month ago while training for my first half marathon. The pain would shoot in about 3 miles into a run and force me to walk. After walking for about 15 seconds, the pain would go away and I could continue running. I attributed it to overtraining on hills and inadequate stretching, took a few days off, and the pain didn’t come back. Then, about 8 miles into the Blue Ridge half, I started to get pain on the outside of my left knee. I powered through it and then could barely walk later that day. I assume ITBS. Looks like I need another break when all I want to do now is run!
Blue Ridge is tough on anybody on their best day. Think long term – you’ll be good.
two weeks off for that? You’re so damn… sensible. it’s aggravating.
I’m trying to emulate the Kenyans.
Now you make me feel even guiltier about ignoring the pain in my foot. If it’s not getting worse, then it’s fine, amirite?
It’s not like I ever really NEED to point my toes.
I’ve ignored many a pain away, never to return. Every once in a while you gotta pick one and say uncle.
Awwwwww! No barefoot Owl’s Roost attempt!? That stinks, Josh. Sorry to hear about the achilles. If it were me, I would run anyway. Cause I’m a badass. And stupid.
Moderation in all things, including stupid badassery.
Not sure if you’re into all types of injury recovery methods, but from past experience and from others’ experiences, Kinesiotape (KT tape) works well with the Achilles tendonosis or other Achilles injuries. It should help with the recovery process during your time off. You can even run with it on when you ease back into the swing of things.
Also, extra stretches on stairs really does wonders. Tight calf muscles can lead to some of those bothersome Achilles problems. Letting your heel hang off the end of a stair and pushing the heel to the ground with both a straight leg and a bent knee/leg feels great and helps stretch it out more. Rolling your calf muscles with a foam roller or The Stick helps too.
Hope this helps from one runner with Achilles issues to another.
My reply is going to be a post. Stay tuned!
Sorry to hear about the achilles. Be smart, but not too smart!
(And thanks for the props!)
Moderation in all things, including smarts. (Thanks for introducing me to Epictetus!)
I recently ran experimenting with moving from a generally full foot landing to more fore foot and almost re-injured my calf. I do not know what it is called but mid calf where the muscle meets the tendant. Last year I “popped” it and recovery was very slow. I am about a month from my Boogie 50 and am stressing about getting an injury. But since I have returned to MY stride the pain seems to be fading.
I also have been doing more lifting with my new part time job (wheeee) and that probably added some stress.
Be better!
We just can’t leave well enough alone, can we? Glad to hear you’re on the mend, and good luck with the Boogie.
Josh, i blew my Achilles in a X/c race in January, took two months to heel, i did get some occasional shooting pains in the tendon for a while but ignored it with dire consequences.
Deep massage along the tendon is important to break down scar tissue.
if in doubt see a sports physio.
Not letting your heel come fully down is NOT a good idea!!!
you are interfering with the natural stretch reflex action of the muscles and tendons.
I know pose use to recommend keeping your heel from touching the ground and many runners got injured from doing it :0[
It wasn’t Pose. It was Mutai. I thought, hm, let me try that. Yeah, not so good.
Every time someone mentions the Achilles Tendon, I recall that scene from Pet Cemetery in which the psycho, undead kid slices through the old guy’s achilles with a scalpel. It looked so, incredibly painful!
Anyway, I’m glad you’re not suffering from that! You really are an oak in the realms of will power, choosing to take a break for something that others might rationalize as minor. Wise, wise, wise.
Will you at least volunteer for Owl’s Roost barefoot so that you may post about that?
I will be volunteering, or just staying out of the way if that’s how I’m most useful.
Oak in the realm of willpower.
I just wanted to point that out.
Because that’s brilliant.
Josh. I wish I had your smarts. That sounds very wise. I just got my itemized bill on my peroneal repair. $19500 so far. And your achiles is 4x larger! Enjoy your rest.
It’s not smarts, it’s insufficient revenue. No moral hazard.
Proud of you my man for listening to your body. Achilles issues can often be the result of over taxed, tight or weak calves. Weaknesss isn’t your issue. The excessive miles combined with the forefoot landing may be pooping out the ole calves. Not implying at all that a forefoot landing is bad, cause it’s not, but it does activate more calf. So, along with the high mileage must come some good stretching. With your speedy pace, you’re basically keeping them engaged almost like an isometric hold for all the whole run. Lot of contraction with not much release can spell “OUCH.” That’s where some good old fashioned stretching will come in handy. I’ll email you some good ones. Enjoyed working with you in the studio. Look forward to more sessions. We’ll lay off the calf-specific exercises.
Addendum: hold off on the aforementioned stretches until the pain/soreness has subsided in the Achilles. I’d avoid Achilles target stretches and just see if loosening the calves provides relief. It’s all connected, so any stretch of the lower get is going to tug and pull more than what you’re specifically trying to stretch, but give it a shot. Ain’t no doc, but have had success with other runners in similar situations. If all else fails, rub some chocolate milk on it.
Not feeling any pain, happily. I’ll go for a short run in a week. I think this is more about recharging than my achilles.